By REYNALD MAGALLON
Jhonard Clarito finished what Adrian Nocum and Beau Belga had started as Rain or Shine finally scored its breakthrough win after taking down Phoenix, 100-85, in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Sunday, March 13.
Clarito spearheaded a 14-3 finishing kick that all but slammed the door on the Fuel Masters’ comeback efforts as the Elasto Painters finally barged into the win column after opening the conference with four tough losses.
Up by only six, 86-80, entering the halfway mark of the payoff period, Clarito sparked the pivotal run, scoring nine of his 19 points including a string of three straight fastbreak layups that allowed Rain or Shine to regain footing and establish a comfortable 100-83 lead in the last two minutes.
Clarito added five rebounds and three assists in an effort that preserved the stellar showing from Nocum and Belga who were both the prime reasons why the ROS took command early in the contest.
Nocum had another big scoring game, coming a point shy of his career-high after exploding for 28 points that went with seven rebounds and six assists. Without Jason Perkins to man the paint for the Fuel Masters, Belga also feasted inside with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
After putting up a career-high in the loss to San Miguel two days ago, Santillan cooled down with just eight points and 10 rebounds while Andrei Caracut orchestrated the run-and-gun attack of ROS with six points and six assists.
Rain or Shine actually trailed by as many as nine in the opening frame but Nocum helped his team keep its head above the water with 17 first half points.
Belga then came alive in the third frame as Elasto Painters stretched a seven-point halftime advantage to 16, 72-56.
Ricci Rivero tried to rally Phoenix back into the contest early in the final frame when it cut the lead down to single digits. The Fuel Masters, who were also missing the services of Tyler Tio, simply didn’t have enough gas to continue the fight as they fell to a 1-3 record.
Rivero paced his team with 16 points while RJ Jazul had 11. Rookies Kenneth Tuffin and Raffy Verano added 10 apiece in the losing effort.
